FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – One of the notable changes for the New England Patriots' defense in the team’s three-game winning streak has been a new role for linebacker Shea McClellin.
Signed to a three-year, $8.95 million contract in the offseason, McClellin has paired with captain Dont’a Hightower as the primary two linebackers at the heart of the D. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound McClellin has totaled 13 tackles and a sack over the last three games as his growing comfort in the role/scheme has been apparent.
Prior to that, in his first seven games of the season, McClellin had played more on the line of scrimmage as an end, totaling 10 tackles over that span.